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SI.com Mock Draft has Houston picking Alan Branch at #8

MojoMan

MojoMan

Hall of Fame
Sports Illustrated has the Texans taking Alan Branch - DT - Michigan with the #8 pick. Personally, I would be quite pleased with this selection. However, many Texans fans seem to be devoted to the idea of taking an offensive skill player with this pick.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/02/15/mock.draft2.part1/index.html?cnn=yes

You would think that this choice would really solidify the defensive line for years to come. Great run stoppage, probably an improved pass rush, and better pass coverage as a result of the opposing QB's having less time to hold the football.

What do you guys think?
 
I would love it.

Branch is one of the top 3 defensive players in the entire draft & he would fill a need at DT.
 
Apparently SI hasn't looked at the Texans depth chart, DT is the deepest position on defense and not a weak link. DE, FS, CB are much bigger needs.
 
Yea I was doing some searching on that and ESPN and SI had Travis Johnson as the best DT last year. Im not saying I wouldnt mind it, it would just worry me. Ill try to pull up the link where I read that.
 
Texian said:
Apparently SI hasn't looked at the Texans depth chart, DT is the deepest position on defense and not a weak link. DE, FS, CB are much bigger needs.
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Deepest position? Maybe waist deep in mediocrity, but we don't have anyone capable of star potential unless Travis Johnson/Anthony Maddux do something to really shock us. If we take Branch we have more flexibility as to where Weaver plays and it really opens up the outside for Williams, Weave, Babin etc to get to the QB. If Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson drop to 8 I could agree with them being picked before Branch but I don't see any FS or CB in this draft going that high.
 
ledzeppelin269 said:
Deepest position? Maybe waist deep in mediocrity, but we don't have anyone capable of star potential unless Travis Johnson/Anthony Maddux do something to really shock us. If we take Branch we have more flexibility as to where Weaver plays and it really opens up the outside for Williams, Weave, Babin etc to get to the QB. If Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson drop to 8 I could agree with them being picked before Branch but I don't see any FS or CB in this draft going that high.
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I agree!!! Allright fellas and ladies if there are any here, im headed to the house and then going to spend some time with my boy. yall have a good weekend!
 
Wouldn't be mad at that, I just want to see us solidify our defense. I think we're close on that side. Of course if AP is there.........................................................................................................................................:bubble:
 
Yea, let's draft another DL for the 100th time in a row.

You want to run me out of town or what? Let's address the O side of the ball, not the D... Good grief...
 
ledzeppelin269 said:
Deepest position? Maybe waist deep in mediocrity, but we don't have anyone capable of star potential unless Travis Johnson/Anthony Maddux do something to really shock us. If we take Branch we have more flexibility as to where Weaver plays and it really opens up the outside for Williams, Weave, Babin etc to get to the QB. If Gaines Adams or Jamaal Anderson drop to 8 I could agree with them being picked before Branch but I don't see any FS or CB in this draft going that high.
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Payne, Johnson, Johnson, Weaver, Maddox, Dalton, Killings, Bulman

Besides Branch is a proto typical 3-4 NT, plug the middle, 2 gap guy. He will not get pressure on the QB. In the 4-3 you need 1 gap penetrating DTs, like Rod Coleman and Vonnie Holiday. Amobi Okoye would be a much better pick over Branch. To upgrade this D picks like Adams, Anderson, Landry, Willis, Revis would be better choices.
 
ledzeppelin269 said:
Deepest position? Maybe waist deep in mediocrity, but we don't have anyone capable of star potential unless Travis Johnson/Anthony Maddux do something to really shock us.
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Ha ha! I was thinking the exact same thing. Branch is/was my selection and if he arrives as advertised, it would help our run defense immensely.

One step at a time DB draft advocates. Maybe you'll get yours in the second or third rounds.
 
I'm skeptical at this point about taking anyone from that Michigan defense that was badly exposed once they played some real competition this season (Ohio State,USC).

Also, Branch would be a two down player. He'd probably have to come out on passing downs in favor of a pass rusher. You have to get more value than that out of the 8th pick in the draft. I could see Branch going to a 3-4 team where he can dominate as a NT.
 
Texian said:
Payne, Johnson, Johnson, Weaver, Maddox, Dalton, Killings, Bulman

Besides Branch is a proto typical 3-4 NT, plug the middle, 2 gap guy. He will not get pressure on the QB. In the 4-3 you need 1 gap penetrating DTs, like Rod Coleman and Vonnie Holiday. Amobi Okoye would be a much better pick over Branch. To upgrade this D picks like Adams, Anderson, Landry, Willis, Revis would be better choices.
Click to expand...

I haven't latched myself to the Alan Branch bandwagon but our DT position is not impressive. Payne is being asked to restructure, getting older and hasn't been injury free. Travis Johnson might have had some decent games but he's yet to show that much. Thomas Johnson is a street guy that played admirably but if Branch is there he is hard to pass up. Weaver, ideally, plays 2 downs at DE and moves inside on 3rd down. Maddux played hard and had a big play but he is a rotational guy at this point. Dalton is in about the same category as the others. Killings and Bullman were last minute depth when everyone else got hurt.

So for players I'm really interested in keeping around at DT, that is Travis Johnson, Anthony Maddux, and Seth Payne (when healthy). Dalton and Thomas Johnson are good hardworking depth but no one on at DT should make us think we are set at the position. I'd really like to see a Williams - Travis Johnson - Branch - Weaver combination on the first two downs with Williams - T Johnson/Branch/Weaver/Maddux - Babin combination in at 3rd down. Try to run against that.
 
ledzeppelin269 said:
I haven't latched myself to the Alan Branch bandwagon but our DT position is not impressive. Payne is being asked to restructure, getting older and hasn't been injury free. Travis Johnson might have had some decent games but he's yet to show that much. Thomas Johnson is a street guy that played admirably but if Branch is there he is hard to pass up. Weaver, ideally, plays 2 downs at DE and moves inside on 3rd down. Maddox played hard and had a big play but he is a rotational guy at this point. Dalton is in about the same category as the others. Killings and Bullman were last minute depth when everyone else got hurt.

So for players I'm really interested in keeping around at DT, that is Travis Johnson, Anthony Maddux, and Seth Payne (when healthy). Dalton and Thomas Johnson are good hardworking depth but no one on at DT should make us think we are set at the position. I'd really like to see a Williams - Travis Johnson - Branch - Weaver combination on the first two downs with Williams - T Johnson/Branch/Weaver/Maddux - Babin combination in at 3rd down. Try to run against that.
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You wont, but you will have all the time you need to pass. Weaver is not a DE you can play with Mario, at least not until Mario develops into a great pass rusher. I would rather have Okoye in that situation if your going to draft for defense, or Levi Brown. Branch dosnt give us that much.
 
run-david-run said:
You wont, but you will have all the time you need to pass. Weaver is not a DE you can play with Mario, at least not until Mario develops into a great pass rusher. I would rather have Okoye in that situation if your going to draft for defense, or Levi Brown. Branch dosnt give us that much.
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I wouldn't mind Okoye. Either way I don't think the middle is set, that's my main point. Branch has NT size but it seems like he has the athleticism to cause trouble in there as well, which should free up the rest of the line. Okoye would do much of the same except with the scale leaning towards more pass rush and less run stop. Just don't pass up either of them because DT seems "set".
 
I really think that Branch will be a good contributor.

He will take up space, tie up blockers in the running game and make Demeco better.

What he wont't do is add an extra dimension to our pass rush and take pressure off Mario. For that a more explosive DT like Okoye would be required.

I wouldn't cry at taking Branch but I would prefer to go Brown or Okoye maybe even Lynch at this stage.
 
Can't see taking Branch. He is a big "space eating" tackle more suited to NT in a 3-4 defense. If we go DT in the 1st, I think it will be with Okoye who is more of a pass rushing DT suited to the 4-3. Also, it was reported (sorry, don't have a link) that the Texans were looking at/talking too Okoye at the Senior Bowl workouts. This could mean something, or nothing. :hmmm:
 
Texian said:
Payne, Johnson, Johnson, Weaver, Maddox, Dalton, Killings, Bulman

Besides Branch is a proto typical 3-4 NT, plug the middle, 2 gap guy. He will not get pressure on the QB. In the 4-3 you need 1 gap penetrating DTs, like Rod Coleman and Vonnie Holiday. Amobi Okoye would be a much better pick over Branch. To upgrade this D picks like Adams, Anderson, Landry, Willis, Revis would be better choices.
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Branch is so atheltic...you could move him down to spell Weaver at times. That's not me saying that....that's what Mayock is going to say it next week. Picking a top rated 6'6" 325 pound John Henderson type athletic DT is not a foolish pick. It gives you a shot at going to the super bowl sooner rather than later. Some of you are just going to have to come to grips with the facts that TJ may never be what they projected him to be. And Neither is Babin . And Payne just might say enough is enough and retire. Not banging the guys they got off the street last year...We need those cap freindly guys in a big way. But if we're going to push the Colts out of the way...it isn't the skill guys that's going to do it. It's the big beaties up front that is going to knock them in the dirt. Allen Branch is deffinately a step in the correct direction.
 
MojoMan said:
Sports Illustrated has the Texans taking Alan Branch - DT - Michigan with the #8 pick. Personally, I would be quite pleased with this selection. However, many Texans fans seem to be devoted to the idea of taking an offensive skill player with this pick.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/don_banks/02/15/mock.draft2.part1/index.html?cnn=yes

You would think that this choice would really solidify the defensive line for years to come. Great run stoppage, probably an improved pass rush, and better pass coverage as a result of the opposing QB's having less time to hold the football.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I LOVE the idea of taking Branch! He would be my first choice. However, there's a good chance he might go #5 to the Arizona Cardinals...we'll have to see. If he's gone when we get on the board, I'd like to hear Brady Quinn's name called. I only support the Quinn pick IF we draft an OT in Round 2, such as Tony Ugoh or Eastern Michigan's Joe Staley.
 
I see Branch going to the Redskins.

Branch has been stood up by smaller O-linemen, and that is a big part of the reason Kalil shot up draft boards. He dominated Branch at the POA all game long, and Kalil is undersized and best suited IMO for a ZBS.

Branch has good athletic ability for his size, but he is not another Henderson. He is a solid DT who is overhyped a good deal. Yes, he is better than TJ coming out. No, that does not warrent us spending #8 on him. Yes, he is a very large run-stopping DT. No, he is not the best DT in the draft.
 
Texian said:
Apparently SI hasn't looked at the Texans depth chart, DT is the deepest position on defense and not a weak link. DE, FS, CB are much bigger needs.
Click to expand...

It may be the most deep, but look at the names we have at DT

Travis Johnson (motor isn't always running..takes plays off)
Thomas Johnson (thug in a football uniform..no high end talent)
Seth Payne (old...coming off a major knee injury...question mark)
Anthony Maddox (Kubiak seems to like him)
Cedric Killings (HAHA)
Tim Bulman (HAHA)

We NEED to upgrade this position in the worst way if we want our pass defense (and run defense) to improve, which it HAS to.
 
bah007 said:
I would love it.

Branch is one of the top 3 defensive players in the entire draft & he would fill a need at DT.
Click to expand...

Branch would be a great fit for a 3-4 defense, one in which he has to fill holes and keep the MIKE free from blockers, he is not a solid blitzer. The Texans run a 4-3 and rely on their DTs to get pressure on the QB without having to send LBs. A better fit for the Texans would be Okoye, he is big, quick, and young (19) with a low center of gravity and plenty of room to grow.
 
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